Wheel structure



` Oct.` 9, 1945. G. A. LYON WHEEL STRUCTURE -Fiied April 1o, 1944 4shepts-sheet 1 NWIFI @04965 ge-.er yam Oct. 9, 1945. v G. A. LYON v WHEEL STRUCTURE Filed April 10, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 HVL- dm QF @leaf #Lafer yam G. A. LYON WHEEL STRUQ'TURE Filed April 10, 1944 4 Sheets-Shei 3 Oct. 9, 1945. G. A. LYON WHEEL STRUCTURE Filed Aprilv 1o, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 9, 1945 STRUCTURE n v George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J; Application April 10, v1944, serial No. 530,35i v -14fo1aimsl (ol. 301-37) This invention is directed to an improved wheel structure and to an improved cover j assernloly.4

therefor.

It is an important object of the present inv'ention to provide'an improved wheel structure vfor a vehicle, this wheel structure including a solid', central load bearing portion havinga solid central Wheel spindle covering part which may serve in itself as a hub cap and having a radially. outer part provided with bolt apertures to receive bolts,`

whereby the wheel may beV secured to a brake drum of the vehicle, this part of the load bearing portion of the Wheel being arranged tobe con# cealed by an improved Wheel cover assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for a vehicle wheel, an improved cover assembly including an annular flexible cover part arranged to extend over and conceal. the wheel bolts, this cover part being constructed from` sheet synthetic plastic material whereby it is self`A sustaining as to form and yet may be temporarily,-`

locally distorted to permit access to the rear. thereof and to the wheel bolts for removalof the same, and whereby, When-manual distorting pressures are relieved therefrom, it will immediatelysnap back into its initial configuration, thiscon` figuration preferably being such that when exH tended to the edge portion` of a tire rim on the ,wheeL the cover will give the appearance of being a continuation of the side wall of a tire thereon andk furthermore will appear as the white side wall of the tire, if colored white.

It isanother object of the present invention to provide a wheel and cover assembly which is so' arranged that the wheel may be removed 4in its entirety from thevehicle without rst removing the cover'assembly therefrom, even though this cover assembly is arranged to entirely conceal the attachment means by virtue of which the wheel is secured to the vehicle.

It is still'a further object of the present invention to provide a solid disk wheel having an integral central spindle concealing, hub cap simulating part, and havinga radially outer part for receiving bolts for attaching the wheel to the brake drum.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a solid disk wheel having an integral portion for concealing the spindle of a vehicle and for serving as a hub cap together with a resiliently nexible, annular cover of less durable and dilfe'rent material than the Wheel arranged to bridge the central hub cap portion of the wheel and ltheradially outer extremity thereof to conceal attachment meanswherebythehwheel isgse.; cured to a brake vdrum orthe like of a vehicle,

this annular cover ybeing retained upon the wheel by attachment of eithertheouter or/inner edges thereof 4to the Wheel.

It is still a furthercbject ofthepresent invention to provide for a vehicle wheel having a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, anim.- proved cover assembly including a radially outer annular cover member arranged to extend over,

the outer side of the tire rim', this cover member preferably being. of less durable and differentfmjaterial than said wheel and rim and extending upV Y to an Aedge portion of the tire rim, the cover being completed by the provision of a relatively rigid cover element having a radially outwardly extending flange forv extending outwardlyl beyond the edge portion. of the tirevrim to conceal the gap between the edge portion and a` tire in the rim and also having at the radially inner part thereof. resilient ngers bent back to extend .obliquely axially, radially outwardly to retainingly engage the edge portion of the rim to maintain said last v named cover part thereon, the radially outwardly extending ange further serving to vprotectlthe edge of the less durable anddeilectablecoverfr-om breakage during-use. Y

In accordance with the general features 0f the present invention there is provided hereinA an improved wheel structure of the drop center rim as a brakedrum or the like, wherebythe wheel may beattached to the vehicle and is formed at the central part thereof with a circular"protu' berance arrangedtorhouse the wheelspindle and to simulate a hub cap, there being means on the wheel for retaininglyl receiving a marginal edgeY of airesiliently, locally flexible annular cove-r arranged to extend `over and conceal thatportionn of the Wheel through which the bolts extend, the

cover being formed to be manually, flexibly .ma-

nipulated to renderv the, bolts accessible sothat they may be loosened and the wheel removed from the vehicle without necessitating the removal of the cover. l

In accordance with the general features of another embodiment of the inventionthere is pro vided herein a wheel of the drop center rim typef'" having a central load bearing portion provided,

at a radially outer part thereof, with apertures.

for receiving wheel bolts by means of which the wheel may be secured to the brake drum or the like of a vehicle, the wheel being further provided with attachment means for receiving a marginal edge of a circular, flexible cover made from synthetic sheet plastic or the like which is arranged to bridge the portion of the wheel including the bolts to conceal the same and generally augment the appearance of the vehicle, this cover being arranged to be flexed axially outwardlyto permit the disposal of a bolt loosening tool therebehind to facilitate the removal of the wheel from the.

` considerably toward the center of the wheel that vehicle without removal of the cover therefrom.

It is another object ofthe invention to pro-1` vide a vehicle construction including means for detachably receiving a cover assembly and means for detachably receiving a wheel.;

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction wherein the wheel is provided with a central load bearing portion or spider having means at substantially the radially outer part thereof for attachment to a vehicle, there being also provided an improved y cover assembly for concealing the bolt-on portion of thespider yet whereby the wheel may be removed from the vehicle withoutrdetaching `the cover. Y

Many other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which: Y Y Y Figure 1 is a side elevational view with parts broken away for illustrative purposes of a wheel ic :tonstruction embodying oneform of my invenion; Y

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged cross-sectiona1 view of a4 wheelstructure embodying the form of my invention shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a wheel structure embodying still another form of my invention; Y Y

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the procedure in removing the wheel of Figure 3 from the vehicle;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary crosssectional view of another form of wheel structure and cover assembly embodyingmy invention;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged cross-sectional Vview of a. wheel structure similar to that shown in Figure 3 with a modified form of cover associated therewith;

Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary crosssectional view of still another wheel structure embodying my invention;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure '7 showing the manipulation of the cover in removing the wheel of Figure 7 from the vehicle; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a modified form of my invention showing still another manner of cover arrangement.

It will be understood that ,the embodiments shownv herein are for illustrative purposes only and may be -changed or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Referring first to Figure 2 the wheel shown therein includes a drop center type tire rim I0 having a base flange I I and a central load bearing portion I2 provided with a generally axially inwardly extending peripheral `flange I2a which. may be secured to the base flange I I 4inanyV suit- ]allle manner as by welding or riveting or the the bolts used in attaching the wheel to the vehicle ycould be concealed by a hub cap simulating cover member which was circular and centrally disposed of the wheel. With such a construction it was necessary that the hub cap be a separate part of the wheel and detachably secured thereto to permit removal to obtain access 'to the lwheel `bolts and furthermore, such access was not obtainable without the added manipulation of removing the hub cap simulating cover member. Under such circumstances the hub cap was often lost and in many cases be- `came damaged while removed from the wheel.

Furthermore, ybecauseof its removable connection with the wheel, such a hub cap simulating cover member was often lost during operation of the vehicle without the knowledge of the operator.

To the end that the above dilliculties may be avoided by the utilization ofl a spindle cover which is integral with the wheel and to the end that the wheel may be removed from the vehicle without requiring separation of the covern therefrom preliminary tothe removal operation, the central load bearing portion I2 in the construction of Figure 2 is provided at the radially outer part thereof with a bolt-on flange I9 provided with apertures 2l! which are circularly arranged and circumferentially spaced from one another to be aligned with bolts 2| extending from the brake drum 22 of the vehicle.l The brake drum 22 is mounted upon the wheelspindleV 23 which extends through a boss 24 formed integrally with the drum. This relationship is maintained by a castellated nut 25.

To the end that the end of the spindle 23 may be concealed and the wheel may be given a neat, attractive Vappearance without necessitating an auxiliary, central cover member, the central load bearing portion I2 and particularly the bolt-on flange I9 at the radially outer part thereof extends radially inwardly to form an integral, solid center part 26. This central part 26 is provided with an axially outwardly convex configuration so as to house the outer end of the spindle 23 and so as to impart to the'nished wheel a neat and attractive appearance` The junction of the radially outer part of the bolt-on flange vI9 and the central portion 26 of the load bearing wheel part I2 is cross-sectionally configurated to provide a rigidifying bead vpart 21 which extends generally axially inwardly of the wheel to airord on the outer side thereof a generally axially inwardly, radially inwardly opening groove defined on the outer side by a shouldered portion 28. This groove together `with the circular shoulder 28 is arranged to receive the radially inner marginal part 29 of a cover 30 which is provided with a central aperture having a dimension slightly smaller than the shoulder 28. Theannular cover member 30 is preferably formed from sheet synthetic plastic or `other material whereby it may be locally, temporarily, resilientlydistorted and yet will immediately snap back to initial configuration when distorting pressure is relieved therefrom. The cover 33 is also provided with a cross-sectional expanse and configuration whereby it extends from the shoulder 28 at a radially inner part of the wheel, radially outwardly to the vicinity of sectional configuration whereby it gives the effect Y I of being a continuation of the side wall of the tire II and gives the appearance of being a whiteV side wall of a massive tire mounted on a -wheel structure of minimum dimensions, when colored white.

As will Vbest be seen from Figure l, when the wheel and cover assembly is assembled as shown, the entire radially outer portion of the wheel is concealed 'by the cover -member 30 so that the axially outer appearance of the wheel structure includes only this cover member together with the central convex portion 26 of the wheel. This is found to provide an extremely attractive and neat appearance and, as will be seen, this appearance is accomplished with the use of a single auxiliary cover member.

In removing the wheel from the vehicle it is highly desirable that this be accomplished without necessitating the complete removal of any tool is then rotated and the nuts 2|a removed.

from the respective bolts 2| and the wheel assembly, cover assembly and the tire may then be shifted axially outwardly from the vehicle and removed therefrom as a unit.

Another attribute of the construction of Figure 2 resides in the fact that the central hub cap simulating portion of the wheel 26 is constructed from heavy metal and is provided with a ooniiguration deep enough so that should the wheel come to rest on a hard surface with the axially outer 'part thereof facing downwardly, the weight of the wheel will `be borne by the central portion 26 and the intermediate, less durable cover 33 will be completely protected against damage. It will be lunderstood also that during operation of the vehicle the protruding central, strong hub cap portion 26 of the wheel serves to protect the flexible and less durable cover 30 from coming into lateral contact with curbing or the like against which the vehicle. may be driven accidentally.

vIn the construction of Figure 3 the wheel includes a rim of the drop center type identical to that shown in Figure 2 together with a brake drum and spindle arrangement which is likewise similar to that shown in Figure 2.

This construction differs from that of Figure 2 primarily in the details of the central load bearvIl() part thereof with a generally axially inwardly extending flange 3Ia which may be vsecured tov the base flange I of the rim in any suitable manner as by welding or riveting or the like.

The radially inner part 32 of the central load bearing portion 3| is provided with bolt apertures 33 which are circularly aligned and circumferentially spaced to coincide with a" wheel bolt 2| extending'from the brake drum 22. It'will be seen that when the wheel is, as in the case of the construction in Figure 2, placed on the brake drum so that the bolts 2I` extend through the apertures 33 and the nuts 2|a are screwed onto the bolts, the Wheel is securely attached to the vehicle. The extreme radially inner portion of the bolt-on flange 3| terminates circularly ina generallyy axially outwardly extending lip 34 which has a radially outwardly turned peripheral portion 35 that functions to maintain a cover on the wheel as does the shoulder 28 in the construction of Figure 2. It will be seen that this shoulder 35 serves as the axially outer limit of a radially outwardly facing groove in the lip 34.

The cover construction of Figure 3 includes a radially outer annular plastic cover member 36 whichmay extend radially outwardly beyond the edge portion I5 of the tire rim as at 31 and a central circular hub cap simulating cover 38 which may also, if desired, be formed from resilient plastic material.. The radially outer margin of the dished central hub cap simulating cover member 38 is formed to provide a circular, radially inwardly protruding bead portion 33 as shown' best in Figure 4. This beaded portion 33 is arranged to be disposed elastically behind the shoulder 35 and into the groove of the lip 34 defined thereby. The plastic cover member 36 which is in the form of an annulus is likewise provided at its radially inner margin with a circular, conforming beaded portion 43 which is arranged to nest within the bead 33 of the cover member 33 when the beadv 39 is in turn nested in the groove of the lip 34 of the wheel part. Thus it will be seen that in this construction the wheel bolts are likewise disposed radially outwardly of the confines. of the central cover member 38 and are concealed behind the rplastic cover member 36 which, as in the case of the construction of Figure 2, may be flexed radially inwardly and axially outwardly to permit insertion of a pry-off tool T or, as shown in Figure 4, may be removed entirely before the wheel removal operation takes place. In this event it will be seen that removal of the cover member 36 does not necessitate removal of the central cover member 38.

I n the construction of Figure 5 there is provided an improved vehicle wheel of the drop center type which is susceptible of manufacture by a cast bolt-on flange 43 provided at a radially inner part thereof with bolt apertures adapted to receive bolts 53 extending from the brake drum 5I of the vehicle- The bolt-on flange 43 is proing 3| which is provided at the radially outervided'atthe axially' outer side thereof with bosses 52,l each of which deines arespective bolt aperture, thereby to receive the usual vbevel on the respective nut 55a for properlyaligning the wheel on the brakedrum I with precision.

The-brake drum 5I is further. providedwith"a spindle boss 53 adapted to receive awheel'spindle" 54 upon whichl iscmounteda lcastellated nut 55 to maintain the structure together. l v To'y the end thata cover assembly including an outer annular ,plastic trim ring `it-and a cen-v tral circular `hub 'cap simulating plastic trimring 51- may be vdetachably mounted upon the vehicle, the brake drum 5I` is provided With a circular, axially outwardly extending boss'l 58 'provided at orf circumferentially spaced protuberances 59." As will be seen from' Figure 5 these protuberances ES'are disposed'at the axially outer-part of Vthev boss 58 thereby to provide aspace therebehind forreceiving the cover ina manner to be dei member 5l is aligned with the boss 58 and pressedY axially inwardly on the wheellit will be'distorted from its circular'formation temporarily until -the bead 68 comes to rest behind the respective humps 59. Preferably the bead 60 is provided'with an the radially outer edge thereof'with a plurality" axial expanse large enough so that when itf'is" wedged against the axially inner sideV of the respective humps 59it will also engage the adjacent' surface of the brake drum 5l "to be held onI the Y Wheel against axial shifting and vibration. n

To the end that the annular cover member 56 may be retaningly engaged with the wheel structure, the central circular hub cap simulating cover inember'l' is provided with a circular, radially l inwardly ridged portion 6l which affords a ra'- dially outwardly opening groove adapted'to `retainingly receive in elastic snap-on relationship, the radially inner margin 62 of the cover member which is curled axially'inwardly and'slightly radially outwardly to nest within the formed by the portion 6`|.

After the structure shown in Figure 5 has been assembled the bolts 50a by means of which the wheel may be removed from the brake drum are rendered accessible in a manner described incon- Y junction with the structure of Figures Zand 3.

In other Wordsrthe cover member 56 may'be flexed outwardly'as'shown in dotted lines in Figure` 2 or may be entirely removed from the' cover member 51 in the manner shown in Figure 4;

In the construction shown` in Figure 6 the wheel structure is identical to that shown in Figure 2 and like'parts are similarly identified.

In this construction the cover assembly differs somewhat from that shown in Figure 2. This difference' resides, principally in the fact that the cover includes -a radially outer portion 63 and a central circular' hub cap portion 64 arranged to overlie and ornament the central circular convex portion 26 of the central load bearing wheel part I2.

The cover parts 63 and `84 as will be seen, are

formed integrally with one lanother and' the junction thereof comprises a generally axiallyin` the cover 85 may .be free 'for manipulation to renf Wardly extending circular beaded part l65 which is arranged to be elastically snapped over the' shoulder 28 of the wheel part: llana to retainapplied to the Wheel.

@fdially louter edge thereof.

in'glyinest` in the groove formedvby the beaded portior'12lV 'ofthe wheelb'f desired; a split circular'wire or ring may be snapped-into the interial of the bead portion l65v of the cover after it is mounted as shown irl-.Figure 6 to augment the vretention thereof upon `the wheel by holding the bead`65 tightlyin its nested relationship.

Here again;A the bolts Zia may be rendered accessible' by ilexure -offthecover portion 63 from the-'radially outer'edge thereof,'or, if desiredthe entirecover assembly may beremoved from the wheel by Withdrawal ofthe bead 65 wardly over the shoulder 28.

`The-*wheel construction shown iin Figures 7 and' l :8,is somewhat similar `to 'that shown in Figure 5` f in that-the bolt-on flange is formed integrally With i the V,tire` rim and .thefwheel is susceptibleof being manufacturedby a casting process.

In V thisxconstruction the tire rim `Si; a bas'eflange 6T, opposite sidewall nanges 68, op-

posite intermediatelanges E9 and'opposite edge: portions '18, between which may be disposed a= pneumatic tire including 'an inner tube'il iand a casing,"|2,-the' inner tube' having an elongated Avalve stemi13 extending through 'a suitable aper.-

turexin'the'adjac'ent side Wall flange 68,

Thegcentral-loadf bearing portion 14 is joined integrally'with the base ange 6l' by a somewhat thickened A0i' enlargedsection 'I5-and is'providedv at an intermediate part-thereof lwith a bolt-on.Y

flange portion' 'Iii'having apertures formed therein for receiving bolts 'H extending-.from a brake drum 'i8 of the vehicle. The outer surface of the bolteon fflange S8 i5 providedwith a plurality of `'.circularvbosses 1S, each of which defines one'of the boltapertures and servesl to receive a beveled portion of a respective nut for aligning the wheel on the brakedrum'with precision when the nuts 88 are screwed onto the bolts 'VLA The circular bolt-on flange 'TA6 of the wheel serves as the radially outer extremity of a, central,Z integral, circular hub cap simulating wheel section 8i which is, asin the case ofthe construction' offFigure 2, provided with axially outer convexity to house V-and conceal the wheel spindle 82 topwhich the spindle boss 83 of the brake drum 18 is secured l bymeans ofnut 811;v f f A In this' construction the cover :assembly com-- prises an annular, plastic -cover'member :85 hav- Aingthe attributesof theI covers previously described. The covert is provided, with an aperture-85 whichisarranged to be aligned with the valve stem 'i3 so that the end thereof mayprotrudexthrough the' aperture when the cover is There is provided at the radially linnerxand outer edges of the annular cover edge `beads'i and' 88 respectively, these beads serving to strengthen lthe edgesagainst splitting and the-bead 88 aiding in the attach# inent vof the-.coverto the wheel in a manner to be described presently. 'y

It will beseenthat in this construction also,

the coverf85 is of such radial expanse thatit extends fromthe edgeportion 'i0 ofthe tirel rim lit,Y @radially inwardly'to a pointon-the convex hub cap simulating wheel part 8|, thereby Ato extend overV and conceal the entire radially outer part of the wheel together with the attachment bolts'and nuts'l and Si) respectively. Tofth'eend that the radially inner margin of der the rear side'thereoi and the bolts 'Vl and nuts 88 available, attachment thereof to the wheel structure.isaccomplished 'by means of the raincludes AS 'will beseen in i Figures 'I and 8, there is provided at the radially outer part of the annular cover member an attachment annulus having a radially outwardly extending flange 89 terminating in a rolled or beaded portion 98 which envelopes the bead 88 of the cover in permanent engagement therewith. The flange 89 extends radially inwardly along the outer margin of the cover and terminates in an axlallyinwardly extending annular ilange 9|, this flange in turn terminating in bent back resilient fingers 92 which are provided with cam lingers 93. The circumferential dimension of the resilient members 92 and 93 is such that when the cover is aligned concentrically with the wheel and forces axially inwardly thereof, the members 92 cam along the edge of the edge portion 19 to be sprung radially inwardly until the fingers 93 are Aaligned axially with the curled part of the edge portion 'I0 whereupon they snap outwardly to obtain the retained engagement shown in the drawings. This construction is highly desirable since it provides at the outer edge of the cover 85 a easy-on, hard-off attached relationship.

scribed above, it will be seen that the axial outer appearance thereof comprises the central wheel part 8| afforded by the broad curved expanse of the cover member 85 which gives the appearance of a continuation of the side wall of the tire 12.

Furthermore, the beaded portion 90 of the cover attachment annulus, being constructed from a more rigid material such as metal admirably protects the outer edge of the cover 85 against damage during operation of the wheel.

When it is desired to attach the nozzle of an air hose to the valve stem 13 it is merely necessary to llex the resilient cover inwardly as shown in dotted lines in Figure 7, whereby the stem 13 protrudes beyond the cover to permit the attachment of the air hose. If it is found necessary lto remove the wheel from the vehicle by manipulation of the nuts 89 it will be seen from Figure 8 that the operator need manually grasp the radially inner margin of the cover and draw :the same resiliently elastieall'y outwardly to the position shown in Figure 8, whereupon a pry-off tool T may be inserted therebehind to engage the nuts 89.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is provided herein an extremely rugged wheel structure, the construction of which obviates the necessity of a plurality of cover members in order tto obtain the desired effect of a multi-part cover assembly. Furthermore, a high degree of protection is afforded the resilient and less durable plastic cover member 85 by virtue of the associated annular retaining means and particularly .the bead 90 and the central protruding hub cap simulating portion 8| of the wheel. It will be seen also that in removing the wheel from the vehicle it is not necessary for the operator to entirely detach the cover 85. As in the other constructions described heretofore it will be seen also that the construction of Figures '7 and 8 is characterized by the provision of a bolt-on ar- -rangement which is disposed radially outwardly of the lcentral hub cap simulating portion of the wheel, whereby the latter may be made integral and thus exceedingly strong sincethe wheel may be removed from'the vehicle without requiring removal of the central hub cap simulating part of the cover.

l'I'here is disclosed in Figure V9 another construction which maybe utilized to protect-the edge of a plasticcircular cover and also which is l When the cover is secured to the wheel as deadapted to conceal the junction between the tire rim and the tire therein.

In this construction the wheel includes a rim 94 having a base flange 95, opposite side wall flanges 96, opposite intermediate flanges 91 and opopsite edge portions 98 between which may be disposedl a tire having an inner tube 99 and a casing |19. As in the previous lconstructions there is also provided a central load bearing portion |81 which may be secured to the base flange of the tire rim 94 in any suitable manner such as by welding or riveting or the like. The cover assembly includes a plastic cover memH ber |82 having a radially outer edge which extends substantially to the ,edge portion 98 but -not therebeyond. In order that the junction between the edge portion 98 and the tire |90 may be concealed, there is also provided an annular, relatively rigid member formed preferably from sheet metal Vor the like and having a radially outwardly extending, slightly axially outwardly flared llange part |93 terminating radially inwardly in a generally axially inwardlyextending flange |94, the flange `|134 in turn terminating in resilient lingers |05 similar to those shown in the retaining annulus of the 4construction of Figures 7 and 8. With this construction it will be seen that the radially outwardly protrudingr more rigid flange |83 serves admirably to protect the edge -of the resilient and less durable cover member |02 from splitting during use of the wheel and furthermore the gap between the edge portion 98 of the tire rim and the tire itself is effectively bridged to augment the appearance of the wheel assembly. It will be understood, of course, that in utilizing the construction of Figure 9 the cover |02 may be secured to a wheel structure in any -suitable manner such as, for instance, by the constructions shown in Figures 5 or 6.

I claim as follows: l Y

1. In a vehicle, wheel and wheel cover assembly, said wheel including a flanged tire rim and a central load bearing portion, attachment means on the vehicle for detachably engaging with the central load bearing portion of the wheel, an annular cover disposed over the outer side of the wheel to overlie and conceal said attachment means, means for securing one edge of the cover in the assembly, `said cover -being formed from a locally, resiliently flexible material and having an edge adapted to be flexed away from the wheel 'to render the rear side thereof and the attach-v ment means accessible to afford removal of the wheel from the vehicle without requiring removal of the cover therefrom.

2. In a vehicle, wheel andwheel vcover assembly, said wheel including a flanged tire rim having an edge portion and a central load bearing portion, attachment means on the vehicle for detachably engaging with the central load bearing portion of the wheel, an annular cover disposed over the outer side of the wheel and having a radial expanse whereby it extends radially from the edge portion of the tire rim radial-ly inwardly to a point Von the wheel radially inward of the attachment means, means for securing the cover in lthe assembly, s'aid cover being formed from a locally resiliently flexible material and having an edge adapted to be flexed away from Athe wheel to render the rear side thereof and the attachment'means accessible to allord removal of the wheel from the vehicle without requiring removal of the'cover therefrom.

Y 3. In a vehicle wheel, a tire rim part and a central load bearing part, said central load bearing part including a radially'outer portion provided with means for affording attachment of the wheel toa vehicle and a solid'central portion constructed to overlie and conceal the end of a spindle of the vehicle to whichthe wheel is attached and also to serve as a hub cap, means on the central load bearing part between said portions thereof for receiving the inner margin of 'an annular cover member arranged to complement said solid, central hub cap portion and to overlie and conceal the tire rim and the radially outer portion of the central load bearing part.

4. In a vehicle, wheel and wheel cover assembly, a wheel including a central load bearing portion provided with a radially outer pant arranged for detachable engagement with vehicle and a solid, integral central circular hub cap simulating part for overlyingand concealing a spindle of a vehicle to which the wheel is attached, meanson the central load bearing portion at the radially outer part of said hub cap simulating part for retainingly receiving the radially inner margin of an auxiliary cover member, said cover member comprising anl annulus formed from sheet syntheticplastic whereby it is resiliently distortable yet self-sustaining as to form and will snap back into initial configuration when distorting pressures are relieved therefrom and having a cross-sectional configuration whereby it extends with a gradual curvature from the radially ourter part of the hub cap part of the central load bearing portionof the wheel out to the radially outward extremity of the wheel, thereby to be resiliently flexibleaway from the wheel to afford insertion of a, wheel removal tool therebehind to the vicinity of the radially outer part of said central load bearing portion. 5. In a wheel structure including a flanged, drop center tire rim and a' central load bearing portion, said load bearing portion having a part constructed for retained engagement with a vehicle and having cover retaining means disposed radially inwardly of said rst named part, a cover assembly for disposition over said'wheel structure including a radiallyouter annular portion adapted to overlie and conceal the outer side of the llanges lci the tire rim in said first named part of the central load bearing portion, said annularportion of the; cover being constructed from locally, resiliently iiexible, yet form retaining material and having the radially inner part thereof disposed in retained relationship with the retaining means on the wheel.

6. In a wheel structure including a flanged tire rim having a generally axially outwardly extending edge portion, a central load bearing portion comprising a. substantially solid, circular disk member, said disk member including a central hub cap simulating part formed convexly, axially outwardly so that the axial Y outer extremity thereof extends at least to the axially outward extremity oi the` respective edge portion of the tire rim, cover retaining means at the radially outer coniines of the hub cap simulating part and a resiliently flexible annular cover of less durable and diierent material than said rim and disk member and hub cap simulating portion having the radially inner edge thereof retainingly engaged by said retaining means, said cover extending radially outwardlyover the outer side of the wheel to the vicinity of the respective edge portion of the tire rim, thereby to be protected against damage by said edge portion and the hub cap part of the wheel.V j y I p y 7. In ar wheel structure and cover assembly, a

wheel including a tire rim and ay central'load .bearing portion, said load bearing portion cornwardly with respect to the wheel, and the cover assembly including a radially outer annular part having the radially outer edge terminating in the vicinity of thev radially outer extremity of the wheel and extending radially inwardly over the outer side of the 'wheel and the central load bearing portion thereof so that the radially inner margin thereof is nestingly engaged in said lip on the wheel, said annular part being formed from a plastic, resiliently `flexible material whereby it may be manipulated at the outer edge thereof to render the rear side thereof and the wheel attaching means accessible.

8. In a wheel structure and cover assembly, a wheel including a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, said load bearing portion comprising. an annulus having anintermediate part constructed to be detachably engaged on a vehicle with which the wheel is associated, and having the radially inner margin thereof formed to provide a cover retaining lip extending generally axially outwardly with respect to the wheel, and the cover assembly including a central circularhub cap simulating part arranged to extend over and conceal the central part of the wheel, said circular part having the radially outer edge .thereof constructed to nestingly engage in the lip of the Wheel and also including a radially outer annular cover member having the radially inner margin thereof also nestingly engaged within the lip on the wheel and extending radially outwardly to the vicinity of the radially outer extremity of the wheel to overlie and conceal the central load bearing portion of the wheel. 9. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, said load bearing portion including a radially |outer part provided with means to facilitate attachment of the wheel to the vehicle and an integral, circular, solid, axially outwardly convex part arranged to house a spindle of a Vehicle with which the wheel is associated, a generally axially outwardly, radially outwardly facing groove formed in said central load bearing portion at the radially outer part of the spindle housing part and a cover for the wheel including a radially outer annular flexible portion and an integral, central portion formed :to overlie the spindle housing portion 'of the wheel, said cover being provided'at the junc- V tion of said annular portion and said vcentral portion with a generally axially inwardly` extending circular bead arranged to'be disposedV in said groove in the central load bearing' portion of the wheel to retain the cover thereon so that the outer annular cover portion overlies and conceals the radially outer portion of the central load bearing portion of the wheel. l

10. In a vehicle, wheel and wheel cover assembly, a wheel structure comprising a flanged drop center rtype itire rim having a base flange and an integral central load bearing portion extending radiallyV inwardly of the inner surface .of thewbase flange thereon, a brake drum having a plurality of bolts extending from the radially outer part thereof, apertures in said central load bearing portion for receiving said bolts Ito tain the wheel on the drum, protuberances formed on said drum and disposed radially inwardly of said bolts, a central circular hub cap simulating cover 4member provided at the radially outer margin thereof with means for retainingly engaging over said protuberances to retain said cover member on the wheel and an annular cover member constructed to retainingly engage with said circular cover member and to extend from the vicinity of the protuberances on the brake drum radially outwardly over the outer side of the wheel structure to substantially the radially outer extremity f the wheel, thereby to overlie and conceal appurtenances on the wheel and said bolts.

11. In a vehicle, Wheel and wheel cover assembly, a wheel structure comprising a flanged drop center type tire rim having an integral centralV load bearing portion extending radially inwardly of the inner surface of a base flange thereon, a brake drum having a plurality of bolts extending from .the radially outer part thereof, apertures in said central load bearing portion for receiving said bolts to maintain the wheel on the drum, protuberances formed on said drum and disposed radially inwardly of said bolts, a central circular hub cap simulating cover member lprovided at the radially outer margin thereof with means -for retainingly engaging over said protuberances to retain the huby cap cover member on the wheel and an annular cover member constructed to retainingly engage with said circular cover member and to extend from the vicinity of the protuberances on the brake drum radially out*- wardly over the outer side 0f the wheel structure to substantially the radially outer extremity of the wheel, thereby to overlie and conceal appurtenances on the wheel and said bolts, said annular cover member being formed from a resiliently flexible plastic material which is self-sustaining as to form and which will snap back to initial configuration when distorting pressures are relieved therefrom, whereby an operator may flex the cover inwardly from the radially outer margin thereof to afford insertion of wheel releasing tool therebehind. n

12. In an improved wheel structure, a ilanged drop center type tire rim having a base flange and a central load bearing portion formed integrally on and extending radially inwardly from the radially inner surface of a base ilange of the tire rim, means on said central load bearing portion for affording attachment of the wheel to a Vehicle and a central, circular hub cap simulating portion formed integrally with said central load bearingy portion and disposed radially inwardly of said attachment means, and a cover for disposition over the outer side of the wheel structure including an annular, resiliently deflectable cover member having a cross-sectional expanse whereby it may extend from the vicinity of the radially outer part of said hub cap simulating portion of the wheel, radially outwardly to the Vicinity of the radially outer extremity of the wheel, means at oneedge of said cover for attaching the cover to the wheel, the outer edge of said cover being manually, elastically deflectable outwardly to afford insertion of a wheel removing tool therebehind.

13. In a cover structure for a Wheel having an outer side and including a tire rim, a circular cover arranged to extend over the outer side of a wheel to conceal the same, said cover having a radially outer part extending to the vicinity of the radially outer extremity of the Wheel and an annular, auxiliary cover arranged for detachable engagement with a flange of the tire rim and having a radially outwardly extending portion adapted to extend beyond the radially outer extremity of the wheel to bridge the junction between the tire rim and a tire therein.

14. In a cover structure for a wheel having an outer side and a tire rim, a deilectable cover member of less durable and different material than the wheel arranged to extend over and conceal the outer side of the,wheel and having a radially outer part extending to the radially outer extremity of the wheel and an auxiliary cover member formed from relatively rigid material, said last named cover member including means for attaching the same to a lflange o f the tire rim and also including a radially outwardly extending portion adapted to extend radially outwardly beyond the radial outer extremity of the Wheel to bridge the junction between the rtire rim and the tire therein and to protect the radially outer edge of said less durable cover member from damage during operation of a wheel to which the cover assembly is attached.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

